Cult Classics: 'Histoire de Melody Nelson', Serge Gainsbourg (1971)
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Considered in the UK to be his best recording, Histoire de Melody Nelson continues, thematically, where Gainsbourg's hit "Je t'aime moi non plus" left off. Technically a concept work (albeit barely 28 minutes long), it was recorded in London.
Narrated in French, the bizarre, Lolita-like plot – teenage cyclist accidentally run over by middle-aged man in Rolls-Royce, whose seduction of her culminates in a plane crash in the jungles of Papua New Guinea – is secondary to the music and its accompanying TV special, which influenced rock performers from Portishead and Beck to Sonic Youth and Air.
Melody Nelson is divided into seven orchestrated segments, most lubricated by Gainsbourg's Gallic bedroom charm. Like "Je t'aime", it features Jane Birkin, who plays the progagonist. The arrangements feature some deep funk and bass riffs, courtesy of Herbie Flowers and Big Jim Sullivan, atmospheric strings and choral passages. The TV special featured Birkin gyrating to a wallpaper of psychedelia and surrealism.
Gainsbourg died in 1991. In 2006, the album was performed live at London's Barbican, featuring guest vocalists, Badly Drawn Boy and Gruff Rhys.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments